The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers specialising in sustainable investment, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to mobilise responsible finance for sustainable forestry and land use initiatives. The partnership is designed to support climate mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and inclusive economic development, particularly in vulnerable forest regions.
The collaboration will focus on financing projects for the sustainable management of natural forests, reforestation, and responsible production of forest-based resources. With deforestation contributing to 2.7 gigatonnes of CO₂ emissions and the loss of 6.6 million hectares of forest in 2022—mostly in tropical areas—the agreement is seen as a step towards scaling up nature-based solutions to counter environmental degradation.
“Forests are a global public good and a frontline defence against climate change and biodiversity loss,” said Subhra Bhattacharjee, Director General of FSC International. “Our partnership with Mirova aligns responsible investment with responsible forest management, ensuring forests can continue supporting people and the planet for generations.”
The two organisations will cooperate through Mirova’s Sustainable Land Fund 2 (MSLF2), which supports ecosystem restoration and sustainable land use. Initial efforts will focus on projects in Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia, prioritising FSC-certified initiatives that deliver measurable environmental and social outcomes.
“Our partnership with FSC will enable us to direct capital toward high-quality forestry projects that not only protect vital ecosystems but also empower local communities,” said Gautier Queru, Managing Director for Natural Capital at Mirova. “We aim to demonstrate that responsible investing can yield both environmental and economic returns.”
A key feature of the partnership is its emphasis on social inclusion, particularly the empowerment of women and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), who are often on the frontlines of forest conservation efforts.
The initiative comes as attention turns to COP30, set to take place in Brazil, where land use and forest protection are expected to feature prominently on the climate agenda. FSC and Mirova say the collaboration underscores the importance of sustainable finance as a vehicle for climate action.
